Hairband and method for using thereof

ABSTRACT

A hairband which comprises an arcuate portion having two ends for attaching the hairband to the rear part of a person&#39;s head and a pair of essentially parallel planar arms, each of which extending from an end of the arcuate portion, for attaching the hairband against the sides of the head, wherein the plane defined by each arm is inclined with respect to the plane defined by the arcuate portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of hairstyling devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a hairband adapted to hold the hair of a wearer from the rear side of the head, thereby allowing styling the hair in a unique and novel manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hairbands have been provided in the prior art for a variety of purposes. In the most basic form, headbands typically comprise a single band of elastic, absorbent material sized to encircle the wearer's head. Hairbands have both an aesthetic and a utilitarian function. Most headbands are curved to fit the shape of the top of a person's head. Although, such hairbands have the ability to control the hair on top of a wear's head, they lack the ability to assist in controlling and/or styling a relatively long hair (e.g., about the shoulder length or longer, i.e., at least 60-70 cm). Usually, hair length can be measured from the line of the scalp on the forehead up over the highest point of the skull to its termination.

Usually, in order to assist in controlling or self-styling such a long hair, one can use accessories such as hairpins or rubber bands. However, in order to obtain a more sophisticated or fashionable hairstyle, one needs to go to a professional hair stylist or hairdresser.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hairband capable of assisting in controlling relatively long hair in a novel and styled manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hairband that eliminates the need to use a rubber band or other similar accessory to collect a relatively long hair.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hairband capable of assisting in self-controlling a relatively long hair in a simple and rapid manner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hairband comprises:

-   -   a) an arcuate portion having two ends for attaching the hairband         to the rear part of a person's head; and     -   b) a pair of essentially parallel planar arms, each of which         extending from an end of said arcuate portion, for attaching         said hairband against the sides of the head, wherein the plane         defined by each arm is inclined with respect to the plane         defined by said arcuate portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the hairband further comprises decorative padding or material for covering at least one of the arms and/or the arcuate portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the arms are slightly curved.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the arms are provided with an adjustable length mechanism (e.g., common telescopic mechanism).

In another aspect the present invention further relates to a method for styling the hair using a hairband having an arcuate portion having two ends for attaching the hairband to the rear part of a person's head and a pair of essentially parallel planar arms, each of which extending from an end of said arcuate portion, for attaching said hairband against the sides of the head, wherein the plane defined by each arm is inclined with respect to the plane defined by said arcuate portion, which comprises the steps of:

-   -   a) placing said hairband directly on the rear side of the         wearer's head such that the arms contact the wearer's head just         above the ears and the convex section of the arcuate portion         faces downward with respect to the top of the wear's head;     -   b) separating the hair into two sections;     -   c) twisting backwards the first section of the hair, flipping it         over and then winding it around said arcuate portion; and     -   d) twisting backwards the second section of the hair, flipping         it over and then winding it around said arcuate portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, prior to the flipping over task, folding in two each section of the hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a hairband, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates a side view of the hairband;

FIG. 2B schematically illustrates a top view of the hairband;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a top view of a hairband having essentially curved arms, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A-4C generally illustrating, in flowchart manner, a method for using the hairband of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made to several embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein. Moreover, the terms, “for example”, “e.g.”, “optionally”, as used herein, are intended to be used to introduce non-limiting examples.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a hairband 1 in accordance with the present invention. The headband 1 has an essentially arcuate portion 10, a first arm 11 and a second arm 12.

The arcuate portion 10 is formed to fit on the rear portion of a person's head. According to an embodiment of the invention, the arcuate portion 10 is adapted to attach the hairband to the rear part of the head, such as to the area of the occipital bone or the nape. The length and width of the arcuate portion 10 may vary depending upon the size and design aspects of the headband 1. For example, controlling a relatively thick hair (e.g., dreadlocks hair) may require hairband with a wider arcuate section than a less thick hair. The arcuate portion 10 can be formed of any suitable material such as polymer or light metals.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the arms 11 and 12 are a pair of essentially parallel planar arms, each of which extending from an end of the arcuate portion 10, for attaching the hairband 1 against the sides of the head. For example, both arms may terminate at the temple area of the head (i.e., the areas just above and in front of the ears on each side of the head). The hairband 1 is configured in such a way that the plane defined by each of the arms 11 and 12 is inclined with respect to the plane defined by the arcuate portion 10 as can be easily seen in FIGS. 1 and 2A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the arms 11 and 12 may be covered with decorative padding or material (as indicated by numeral 13) or may have some other type of design such as beads, paint, crystal, jewels, metals, etc. The designs and material options available are endless. In another embodiment of the invention, the ends of the arms may be slightly curved.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a hairband 2 is shown in a top view in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Hairband 2 comprises an essentially arcuate portion 20 and a pair of arms 21 and 22. In this embodiment, hairband 2 functions in a similar manner to the hairband 1 as described hereinabove, but the arms 21 and 22 are a pair of essentially curved arms. In this embodiment, the arms 21 and 22 are facing each other such that the end of one arm extends in a circular manner towards the end of the other arm, preferably, with respect to the shape of a human head. The side view of hairband 2 is similar to the side view shown with respect to FIG. 2A.

For example, the curved end of arm 21 is curved to match the curvature of the back of the wearer's ear. The curved end allows for a more comfortable fit and helps keep the hairband 2 in place on the wearer's head. The curved ends are curved in a general J-shape extending downwardly away from a main axis of each of the arms 21, 22. Arms 21, 22 can be formed of any suitable material such as metals or polymer.

Arms 11 and 12 are long enough so that the ends may reach to the wearer's temples. A shorter or longer arm 11, 12 can be used as long as the hairband 1 remains on the wearer's rear head during use. The end of each arm 11, 12 can be squared or rounded or can be curved. The arms 11 and 12 can be made of the same material as the arcuate portion 10 or some other suitable material. According to an embodiment of the invention, the material used for arms 11, 12 should be the same as the material used for the arcuate portion 10. It should be understood that these same details apply to arms 21 and 22.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, the hairband 1 is shown on a wear's head. The wearer can place the hairband 1 on the rear side of his or her head to maintain a specific hairstyle (FIG. 4C). The hairband 1 can be placed on the wearer's head by placing the hairband 1 directly on the rear side of the wearer's head such that the arms 11, 12 contact the wearer's head just above the ears and the convex section of the arcuate portion 10 faces downward with respect to the top of the wear's head. In order to obtain the hairstyle shown in FIG. 4C, the wearer needs to perform the following tasks:

-   -   separate the hair into two sections;     -   twist backwards the first section, flip it over and then wind it         around the arcuate portion 10 as shown in FIG. 4B; and     -   repeat the same action for the second section of the hair.

In case the hair is very long (e.g., more than 70 cm), after the twisting backwards, each section of the hair should be folded in two before flipping it over.

Again, while the invention has been shown and described with reference to one or more particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although each of the illustrated embodiments of the hairband 1 shows the arms 11, 12 at more than a 90° angle in relation to the arcuate portion 10, a greater or lesser angle could be used and still maintain a comfortable fit while on the wearer's head. Further, the styles and ornamental features of hairband 1 are endless based upon current fashions. In addition, the ends of the arms 11, 12 can take on various shapes in addition to those shown in FIG. 1.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the hairband 1 is made of rigid and flexible material(s) that applies it elastic properties, such that hairband 1 can be easily adjusted to a variety of head sizes. The hairband 1 may be adjusted to varying sizes to conform to the user's hairstyle, thickness, texture and the like. For thicker or fuller hairstyles, the arcuate portion 10 and/or the arms 11, 12 may be extended to increase the hairband length. The hairband may, alternatively, be shortened for finer or flatter hairstyles for a comfortable fit.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, as an option, hairband 1 may further include a mechanism for adjusting the length of arms 11, 12 (not shown). For example, the mechanism can be a common telescopic mechanism. The arms 11, 12 of such a hairband may be adjusted to varying lengths to conform to the user's hairstyle, thickness, texture and the like. For thicker or fuller hairstyles, the arms 11, 12 may be extended to increase their length. The arms 11, 12 may, alternatively, be shortened for finer or flatter hairstyles for a comfortable fit. Other features will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

As will be appreciated by the skilled person the arrangement described in the figures results in a hairband capable of assisting in controlling a relatively long hair in a novel and styled manner. Moreover, the hairband of the present invention eliminates the need to use a rubber band or other similar accessory. Furthermore, the suggested hairband allows a user to control a relatively long hair in a simple and rapid manner.

All the above description and examples have been given for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Many different mechanisms, methods of analysis, electronic and logical elements can be employed, all without exceeding the scope of the invention. 

1. A hairband comprising: a) an arcuate portion having two ends for attaching the hairband to the rear part of a person's head; and b) a pair of essentially parallel planar arms, each of which extending from an end of said arcuate portion, for attaching said hairband against the sides of the head, wherein the plane defined by each arm is inclined with respect to the plane defined by said arcuate portion.
 2. A hairband according to claim 1, further comprises decorative padding or material for covering at least one of the arms and/or the arcuate portion.
 3. A hairband according to claim 1, in which the arms are slightly curved.
 4. A hairband according to claim 1, in which the arm are provided with an adjustable length mechanism.
 5. A method for using a hairband having an arcuate portion having two ends for attaching the hairband to the rear part of a person's head and a pair of essentially parallel planar arms, each of which extending from an end of said arcuate portion, for attaching said hairband against the sides of the head, wherein the plane defined by each arm is inclined with respect to the plane defined by said arcuate portion, comprising the steps of: a) placing said hairband directly on the rear side of the wearer's head such that the arms contact the wearer's head just above the ears and the convex section of the arcuate portion faces downward with respect to the top of the wear's head; b) separating the hair into two sections; c) twisting backwards the first section of the hair, flipping it over and then winding it around said arcuate portion; and d) twisting backwards the second section of the hair, flipping it over and then winding it around said arcuate portion.
 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein after the twisting backwards, folding in two each section of the hair. 